There are many different ways to build an NFL roster. The NFL Draft, free agency, trades, waiver claims, undrafted free agents. One avenue that is always forgotten about is the supplemental draft, which once produced a legitimate franchise great for the LA Chargers.
The Chargers drafted nose tackle Jamal Williams in the second round of the 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft. Williams went on to establish himself as one of the best defensive linemen in franchise history with three All-Pro nods and three Pro Bowl appearances. He is in the Chargers Hall of Fame.
Drafting someone like Williams is now impossible in the year 2025... literally. According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, the NFL has informed teams that there will not be a supplemental draft this summer. It might not just be this summer, either.
Chargers will almost definitely never get another Jamal Williams in the supplemental draft
It's no surprise that the NFL is axing the supplemental draft this summer and this might be all she wrote for the draft in its entirety. If you don't know what the supplemental draft is then don't worry, there hasn't been a player picked in it since 2019.
The supplemental draft exists for players who, for one reason or another, did not have eligibility for the NFL Draft. In Williams' case, he was academically ineligible, prompting him to land in the supplemental draft.
The supplemental draft simply has not been needed in the modern NFL. Jalen Thompson was the last player taken in the supplemental draft by the Arizona Cardinals and he had no real impact in the NFL. Since 2010, there have only been eight players taken in the draft.
With this recent history, it's safe to say the writing is on the wall for the NFL to ax the supplemental draft entirely. It's clear that it is no longer a true team-building measure for teams, and even when it was, the chances of hitting on a draft pick were extremely slim.
But hey, at least the Chargers can say they ended up with one of the greatest supplemental picks of all time. Williams doesn't quite stack up to Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, but he does have a real case of being the best defensive player taken in the draft.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks is the only other defensive player to earn an All-Pro nod after being taken in the supplemental draft.